Tajikistan, with over 10M Muslims, is banning the hijab

Tajikistan, a Muslim-majority country with over 10 million Muslims, has officially banned the hijab for women, terming it as 'alien' to its culture. The parliament passed legislation imposing hefty fines ranging from $747 to $3,724 for violators. The move aims to promote a secular national identity and protect ancestral values and national culture, according to President Emomali Rahmon. The ban is part of a series of measures to minimize public religiosity and promote Tajiki culture. The government has been actively promoting traditional Tajiki clothing and discouraging religious attire since 2017. Tajikistan has also imposed restrictions on Islamic clothing, Western-style miniskirts, and bushy beards in the past. Other Muslim-majority nations like Kosovo, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan have also implemented bans on hijabs and burqas in public spaces. However, such bans have faced criticism for violating international human rights standards and being disproportionate to the aim of promoting public safety.